While in high school in 1956, Peter formed the Tex-Mex group The Cupids which became locally famous and self-released a single. In 1963 he joined the Mother Bay State Entertainers and played mandolin on their record, The String Band Project.
He became a member of Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys in 1964 before forming Earth Opera with David Grisman in 1967. They frequently opened for The Doors. In 1969 he joined Seatrain along with Richard Greene. In 1973 they both left Seatrain with Peter joining David Grisman, Jerry Garcia and John Kahn to form Old & in the Way. In 1974 Rowan, Greene, Grisman and Kahn joined Bill Keith, Clarence White, and John Guerin in the group Muleskinner. Peter has recorded and performed with his brothers, Lorin and Chris as the rowans, at various times starting in 1972. Since then, he has been involved in many group and solo projects and continues to tour.
Peter composed the best-known songs performed by New Riders of the Purple Sage: Panama Red, Midnight Moonlight, and Lonesome L.A. Cowboy.
http://www.peter-rowan.com/
Last Train
Peter Rowan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That last train done left town
I heard the whistle moaning low
But that last train done gone down
My sweet baby's on that train
My sweet baby's on that train
I wonder if I will see her again
I heard the whistle moanin' low
I heard the whistle moanin' low
I beg and pleaded, please, don't go
But that last train done gone down
I'm sorry for what I've done
I'm sorry for what I've done
Too late good-bye, my baby cried
Oh, that last train done left town
Well, that last train done left town
That last train done left town
I heard that whistle moanin' low
But that last train done gone down
In Peter Rowan's song Last Train, the lyrics tell a story of heartbreak and regret. The singer talks about how the last train has left town, and how they heard the whistle moaning low as it did so. The singer's beloved is on that train, and they wonder if they will ever see them again. The singer pleads with their love not to go, but it's too late. They express their remorse for whatever they've done to contribute to the situation, but it's too late - their love is gone.
The song is a classic example of the "train song" genre, which was popular in country and blues music from the early 20th century onwards. Trains were a popular lyrical subject for a number of reasons. First and foremost, trains were a new and exciting technology at the time, and represented progress and the future. Additionally, trains were an iconic symbol of travel and escape, which fits in well with the themes of freedom and movement that were often present in blues and country songs. Finally, the rhythm and sound of a train was an easy and effective musical motif that could be used to create a sense of momentum and energy in a song.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, that last train done left town
The train has departed from the town
That last train done left town
The train has departed from the town
I heard the whistle moaning low
I heard the sound of the train whistle getting lower as the train moved away
But that last train done gone down
The train has left and is no longer visible
My sweet baby's on that train
The artist's significant other is on the train that just left
My sweet baby's on that train
The singer's significant other is on the train that just left
I wonder if I will see her again
The singer is unsure whether they will ever see their significant other again
Oh, that last train done gone down
The train has left and is no longer visible
I heard the whistle moanin' low
I heard the sound of the train whistle getting lower as the train moved away
I beg and pleaded, please, don't go
The artist pleaded with their significant other not to leave on the train
But that last train done gone down
The train has left and is no longer visible
I'm sorry for what I've done
The artist regrets their actions or behavior towards their significant other
I'm sorry for what I've done
The singer regrets their actions or behavior towards their significant other
Too late good-bye, my baby cried
The singer's significant other said goodbye, indicating that they have left on the train
Oh, that last train done left town
The train has departed from the town
That last train done left town
The train has departed from the town
I heard that whistle moanin' low
I heard the sound of the train whistle getting lower as the train moved away
But that last train done gone down
The train has left and is no longer visible
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PETR HAMILTON ROWAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind